Ann Maria Wassermann

Ann Maria Wassermann, 81, died Sunday, August 30, in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg center. She was a courageous 25-year breast cancer survivor thanks to Drs. Horvath and Pipoly and the staff of HOA Cancer Center. Born Dec. 24, 1927, in Toledo, she annually hosted a birthday/Christmas Eve party for family and friends, young and old. It ended in the wee hours of Christmas with carol singing accompanied by the hostess. An accomplished pianist, she played professionally at the Sylvania and Toledo Country Clubs, UT Savage Hall's Rocket Club, as well as for benefits and special events. Her passion for music was inherited from her parents. Mother Maria Watkins played piano and father H.G. "Watty" Watkins was a member of a Vaudeville song-and-dance duo called Watkins and Lee. She was the widow of Bill Wassermann, who died in 1989. They met at a Toledo Council of Catholic Youth dance, where they discovered a common interest in music and theatre. They were married in 1953. Ann Maria was an avid bridge player, a voracious reader, and loved to dance. She was one of the earliest members of Toledo's Manhattan Dance Company. She also enjoyed traveling, especially to Ireland, and was very proud of her Irish heritage. The Wassermanns were founding members of the Maumee Civic Theater and of St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Parish, where Ann Maria chaired the church's blood drive for many years. She was also a volunteer usher at the Toledo Museum of Art's Peristyle. Ann Maria was a graduate of Notre Dame Academy and attended the University of Toledo. She was retired from the Maumee School District where she was secretary to the superintendent of schools. Memberships included Our Lady of Lourdes Church, the Maumee Elks Club and the Knitwits at The Victory Center of Toledo. Surviving are daughters Molly Wassermann, Toledo; Gretchen (Peter) Olszak, Chicago; Mary Wassermann, Philadelphia; son David J. (Kelley), Sylacauga, AL; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, H. Griffin (Patricia) Watkins, Toledo. She was predeceased by a sister, Sue J. O'Neal in 2007. Visitation is Thursday, Sept. 3, at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Road, from 2 to 8 p.m. The memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns. Memorial contributions to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or The Victory Center of Toledo are preferred.

Ann Maria Wassermann

December 24, 1927 - August 30, 2009